By Catherine Needham, Professor of Public Policy and Public Management Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham As the weight of expectations builds on the forthcoming social care green paper, it is timely that this week is the 70th anniversary of the National Assistance Act 1948 which created social services in their current form. The … Continue reading “The National Assistance Act 70 years on – Lessons for the social care green paper”
Category: Uncategorised
A little less ‘Ego’ and a little more humility
By Dr Catherine Darnell, Research Fellow Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham The antidote for egotism may therefore be a humble one; rather than deny our limitations, take ownership of them, seek ways to improve them, listen to different points of view, acknowledge alternative conclusions and be ready to repeat this all again. … Continue reading “A little less ‘Ego’ and a little more humility”
Beneath the Fawcett statue: The descriptive and substantive representation of women in British Politics
By Cherry Miller, Teaching Fellow Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham On Tuesday 24th April 2018, a statue of suffragist Millicent Fawcett- who was instrumental in getting the vote for women over 30 who met a property qualification- was unveiled in Parliament Square. Amidst the commemoration events surrounding women’s suffrage, we can … Continue reading “Beneath the Fawcett statue: The descriptive and substantive representation of women in British Politics”
A lack of cybersecurity brought down the Empire
By Conor Deane-McKenna, Doctoral Researcher in Cyberwarfare Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham Star Wars presents its viewers with glimpses into a past where technology is years ahead of our own. Yet, policies put in place by the Empire, seemed to undermine many of the functions of this technology. From HoloNet restrictions to … Continue reading “A lack of cybersecurity brought down the Empire”
Star Wars Day: Virtues in a Galaxy, far far away…
By Jason Metcalfe, Research Associate Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham Star Wars resonated with a worldwide audience, and there is no doubt this was due to the array of moral and spiritual elements present throughout the films. For those out of the loop, May 4th is Star Wars Day, selected as … Continue reading “Star Wars Day: Virtues in a Galaxy, far far away…”
Star Wars, democracy and elites
By Paul Jackson, Professor of African Politics Department of International Development, University of Birmingham The Star Wars franchise is one of the most successful sets of films in the history of cinema. It deals with a range of complex issues including a hero’s journey, good versus evil, tolerance versus oppression, however one of the most … Continue reading “Star Wars, democracy and elites”
Luke, Obi-Wan, US Foreign Policy: Thoughts on Star Wars Day
By Scott Lucas, Professor of American Studies Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham It was the magical moment- well, if you consider nuclear weapons magical – when Hollywood and US foreign policy embraced. Ronald Reagan, former President of the United States and star of films such as Bedtime for Bonzo, told … Continue reading “Luke, Obi-Wan, US Foreign Policy: Thoughts on Star Wars Day”
Is there a plastic crisis and what can be done about it?
By Dr Johannes Lohse, Lecturer in Economics The Department of Economics, University of Birmingham As for all environmental problems, there is a problem of unknown unknowns, which could significantly increase the social costs of plastic pollution. Plastic has come a long way. From being predicted a ‘great future’ in the 1967 film The Graduate, to … Continue reading “Is there a plastic crisis and what can be done about it?”
The gender pay gap is linked to broader wage inequality – and both require urgent action
By Karen Rowlingson, Professor of Social Policy Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham According to data from the recent gender pay-gap reporting exercise almost eight out of 10 companies and public-sector bodies in the UK pay men more than women, with women being paid a median hourly rate in 2017 that … Continue reading “The gender pay gap is linked to broader wage inequality – and both require urgent action”
Trust in Face-to-Face Diplomacy
By Nicholas J. Wheeler, Professor of International Relations Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham President Donald Trump and his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong-un, are due to meet for a historic summit in an as yet undisclosed location to try and resolve the nuclear stand-off on the Korean peninsula. For academics … Continue reading “Trust in Face-to-Face Diplomacy”